Page 23 | Neighbours complaining about noisy dc in garden

MimiGC · 27/12/2025 16:36

YABU. I think 5 hours outside on Christmas Day is far too long. Your neighbours have probably wanted to complain before now, but today is the day when the straw broke the camel’s back. Your neighbours have guests round for Christmas Day - they want to enjoy their time together without the noise of your children for 5 hours. I think you are very inconsiderate and are thinking only of your own family.

Daftypants · 27/12/2025 16:36

5 hours is maybe a bit much in all honesty and I’d respect the neighbours wishes just while they have relatives there .
Where we live we have kids either side of us and I don’t mind the sound of them playing but they’re not out for 5 hours .

( it is very annoying when they start screaming and shouting for absolutely no reason though 😕)

Contrarymary30 · 27/12/2025 17:02

Xmasinthegarden · 25/12/2025 17:57

We got the dc (8 and 5) a lot of presents for the garden (mud kitchen , outdoor toys, football/goals basketball hoop etc) they both have AuDHD and need to let off steam in the fresh air.

They were in the garden 10-1. Then back out again after lunch 230-430.

We had had a text from the neighbours at 115pm saying ‘we have guests today and would appreciate a little less noise from the garden thanks’ which I ignored but when the dc went back out at 230pm we had them knocking and telling us that they have family there and some are quite elderly and want peace and quiet and their niece has a newborn and all the commotion from our garden is very irritating as they are trying to relax in their conservatory. I said that the dc were not being that noisy and they wouldn’t be out there past 430 anyway. They said if this happens again tomorrow they will file a ‘noise complaint’ and may call the police!

The dc were just playing, not screaming or fighting. Just running about. Some ball bouncing yes but nothing terrible. They play out pretty much every day and this hasn’t been an issue before ? The neighbours moved in Feb this year so obviously it’s their first Xmas here but they would have known our dc play out a lot ?

They have text now with a ‘gentle reminder - tomorrow needs to be a calm peaceful day. Thanks for your cooperation’ wtf !!!

AIBU to ignore this ? We are home in the morning them leaving at 1230 to see my parents so if the dc play in the garden it wont be for that long just 2/3 hours in the morning.

Just ignore them . I'm elderly and have 3 young kids next door who play out . It is sometimes noisey , I would never dream of telling them to be quiet . Let them call the police , they will probably be told off for wasting police time .

OldGothsFadeToGrey · 27/12/2025 17:46

Bonden · 26/12/2025 23:30

Yeah and telling people to “get to fuck” is so part of the festive season.

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And you think telling children to stop playing with their presents is?

MrsAnon6 · 27/12/2025 18:44

Trust me, the police will roll their eyes and tell them it’s nothing to do with them and the council will do the same. They’re just being rude, entitled and petulant.

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 28/12/2025 12:29

HelplessSoul · 25/12/2025 21:33

You should have told them to fuck off.

Thats the only response that entitled cunts like this deserve.

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Aye - an 'entitled cunt' for wanting some piece. And, yeah, let's all go round telling our neighbours to 'fuck off'. Or why not call her an 'entitled cunt' to her face 🤷‍♀️

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 28/12/2025 12:38

Friendlygingercat · 26/12/2025 02:15

Never give your phone number to a neighbour - no good will come of it. Mine dont even know my name.

Spoken like a true Mumsnetter 🤭

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 28/12/2025 13:18

To all the posters categorically asserting that children playing etc isn't unreasonable and the Council would just roll their eyes at a complaint about ball game noise, this isn't necessarily correct.

Whilst there is no legal restriction against ball games, it is one of the most common causes of complaint, to the extent that some Councils even have dedicated forms for making complaints about ball gams (sample screenshot attached)!

Councils may have published guidance for when ball games tip over into nuisance territory and guidelines in this regard. My neighbouring Council states on its website: "If you feel that you have cause to complain about children and young people playing ball games causing you a nuisance, alarm or distress, we may be able to investigate and where necessary take appropriate action. This guide should give you the information you need".

Just saying

Neighbours complaining about noisy dc in garden

OldGothsFadeToGrey · 28/12/2025 20:14

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 28/12/2025 13:18

To all the posters categorically asserting that children playing etc isn't unreasonable and the Council would just roll their eyes at a complaint about ball game noise, this isn't necessarily correct.

Whilst there is no legal restriction against ball games, it is one of the most common causes of complaint, to the extent that some Councils even have dedicated forms for making complaints about ball gams (sample screenshot attached)!

Councils may have published guidance for when ball games tip over into nuisance territory and guidelines in this regard. My neighbouring Council states on its website: "If you feel that you have cause to complain about children and young people playing ball games causing you a nuisance, alarm or distress, we may be able to investigate and where necessary take appropriate action. This guide should give you the information you need".

Just saying

Did you read the guidance before you posted a screenshot?

Generally kids playing in their garden isn’t antisocial and is to be expected.

When it CAN be ASB:

Reckless Play: Deliberately or persistently hitting balls into gardens, garages, or cars. (Not doing this)
Risk to Others: Causing cars to swerve or risking injury to pedestrians. (They aren’t doing this either)
Property Damage: Repeatedly breaking windows or damaging property. (They aren’t doing this)
Unsafe Locations: Playing on busy roads or near parked cars. (They aren’t doing this either)

They aren’t playing late into the night or even past daytime hours. This is really the main one for investigations. Is it during the day? Annoying but probably reasonable. Is it outside school hours? Annoying but most council websites state not only is this to be expected, but it’s vital for development.

They aren't shouting abuse or swearing.

I’m making an assumption that they are t kicking it against the neighbours wall/fence/etc.

Is this a statutory nuisance? Is it shaking your walls, making your windows vibrate … or is it just a ball? I don’t think people realise how high the bar (no pun intended!!) for this actually is. I doubt any complaint about this will be actioned whatsoever.

I’m not saying it’s not annoying. I’m flanked on 3 sides by gardens with nets (and have somewhat professional footballers in 2 of these). There is a lot of football in summer. It’s a residential area though and it’s not excessive noise. Turn the telly up .

MrsDoomsPatterson1 · 28/12/2025 20:23

OldGothsFadeToGrey · 28/12/2025 20:14

Did you read the guidance before you posted a screenshot?

Generally kids playing in their garden isn’t antisocial and is to be expected.

When it CAN be ASB:

Reckless Play: Deliberately or persistently hitting balls into gardens, garages, or cars. (Not doing this)
Risk to Others: Causing cars to swerve or risking injury to pedestrians. (They aren’t doing this either)
Property Damage: Repeatedly breaking windows or damaging property. (They aren’t doing this)
Unsafe Locations: Playing on busy roads or near parked cars. (They aren’t doing this either)

They aren’t playing late into the night or even past daytime hours. This is really the main one for investigations. Is it during the day? Annoying but probably reasonable. Is it outside school hours? Annoying but most council websites state not only is this to be expected, but it’s vital for development.

They aren't shouting abuse or swearing.

I’m making an assumption that they are t kicking it against the neighbours wall/fence/etc.

Is this a statutory nuisance? Is it shaking your walls, making your windows vibrate … or is it just a ball? I don’t think people realise how high the bar (no pun intended!!) for this actually is. I doubt any complaint about this will be actioned whatsoever.

I’m not saying it’s not annoying. I’m flanked on 3 sides by gardens with nets (and have somewhat professional footballers in 2 of these). There is a lot of football in summer. It’s a residential area though and it’s not excessive noise. Turn the telly up .

Edited

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Exactly what I thought - of course it’s an offence if ball is going into cars etc - that’s the sort of thing this guidance is policy for not what OPs doing

but innocently playing without banging fences repeatedly in own garden during normal hours is fine

ChristmasDayIsHere · 29/12/2025 00:55

MusicCuresAll · 27/12/2025 10:21

Erm, you've made quite a leap there! I wasn't advised of any planning work and of course wouldn't have objected anyway. I'm NOT a selfish prick!

But they could've popped a note in or texted (we've always remained on 'hello, you alright' terms over the years) just to let me know there was going to be loud work everyday, all day, for a few months. They didn't, I didn't say anything but it was disruptive and, yeah, I think they're selfish prices. I don't dislike them or anything and wouldn't do anything hostile, I can just think they're selfish prices without it being any deeper than that.

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Don’t be so silly. If it needed planning permission you’d have been consulted by the Council, by law. If not then it was permitted development so by definition a small, single storey extension or other minor moderations like an outbuilding or conservatory. This is perfectly normal activity for people to do and not “inconsiderate of their neighbours”. 🙄🤔🤣

Even if a NDN wanted to knock their house down to ground level and rebuild it from scratch you not liking the noise while they did so is not considered a valid objection that would influence planning permission being approved, otherwise no building work could ever be done within earshot of other properties!

So many drama llamas on this thread.

ChristmasDayIsHere · 29/12/2025 00:57

MusicCuresAll · 27/12/2025 10:24

'Pricks' obviously! Also, you're quite rude to me in your reply, why? I wasn't rude to OP.

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I didn’t call you a selfish prick. I was responding to your post where you called your neighbours “selfish pricks”. It is you that was rude, not me.

ChristmasDayIsHere · 29/12/2025 00:58

Bordgoose · 26/12/2025 20:28

Had this during holidays. Son 11 Autistic and Daughter 13 is ADHD. Neighbour kept complaining each holiday since daughter was 10. Yet in the summer they’ll have BBQ’s until 2309-2330 on weekends. We let them in the garden at 09:30-1700 summer and 09.30/10:00 to 3:30/430 light dependent. Fed up this year so have invited the local scout band trumpet players to practice with me. I teach at a local school. As the scout band is raising money for the local children’s hospital I asked other neighbours what the latest time for practice can be. 21:30 is the local councils advice if in a building not dedicated. Ie own home. We agreed with all the other neighbours it will be 20:00 finish. 15 brass players practicing every night except Wednesday (scouts practice at scout hall until 22:30) and on a Sunday. Told the grumpy pair next door that I’m allowing practice until at least June. More that one way to ‘skin a cat’.

This is brilliant! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 29/12/2025 08:04

OldGothsFadeToGrey · 28/12/2025 20:14

Did you read the guidance before you posted a screenshot?

Generally kids playing in their garden isn’t antisocial and is to be expected.

When it CAN be ASB:

Reckless Play: Deliberately or persistently hitting balls into gardens, garages, or cars. (Not doing this)
Risk to Others: Causing cars to swerve or risking injury to pedestrians. (They aren’t doing this either)
Property Damage: Repeatedly breaking windows or damaging property. (They aren’t doing this)
Unsafe Locations: Playing on busy roads or near parked cars. (They aren’t doing this either)

They aren’t playing late into the night or even past daytime hours. This is really the main one for investigations. Is it during the day? Annoying but probably reasonable. Is it outside school hours? Annoying but most council websites state not only is this to be expected, but it’s vital for development.

They aren't shouting abuse or swearing.

I’m making an assumption that they are t kicking it against the neighbours wall/fence/etc.

Is this a statutory nuisance? Is it shaking your walls, making your windows vibrate … or is it just a ball? I don’t think people realise how high the bar (no pun intended!!) for this actually is. I doubt any complaint about this will be actioned whatsoever.

I’m not saying it’s not annoying. I’m flanked on 3 sides by gardens with nets (and have somewhat professional footballers in 2 of these). There is a lot of football in summer. It’s a residential area though and it’s not excessive noise. Turn the telly up .

Edited

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Absolutely read the Guidelines and those of various Councils given how prevalent reporting of ball games is. Different Councils have different guidelines.

BlackeyedSusan · 29/12/2025 10:22

If you were to keep them in would they be more noisy later at bedtime? Into the night?

Dysregulated kids/teens at bedtime (into the night) is no fun.

BlackeyedSusan · 29/12/2025 10:33

Happyjoe · 25/12/2025 18:50

Oh why not just go for max annoyance and buy them a bloody drum kit?
(yes, sarcasm).

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My ex suggested he get one of ours a drum kit.

We live in a flat.

Declined obviously!

Oh and the vuvuzela went back to his house.

MusicCuresAll · 29/12/2025 11:22

ChristmasDayIsHere · 29/12/2025 00:55

Don’t be so silly. If it needed planning permission you’d have been consulted by the Council, by law. If not then it was permitted development so by definition a small, single storey extension or other minor moderations like an outbuilding or conservatory. This is perfectly normal activity for people to do and not “inconsiderate of their neighbours”. 🙄🤔🤣

Even if a NDN wanted to knock their house down to ground level and rebuild it from scratch you not liking the noise while they did so is not considered a valid objection that would influence planning permission being approved, otherwise no building work could ever be done within earshot of other properties!

So many drama llamas on this thread.

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No issue whatsoever with them having work done. They've got folk out in the garden sawing stuff as I type...not a problem. I think a 'heads up, we're relandscaping the garden and adding an extansion and it's gonna be noisy for about 12 weeks, just letting you know' is just simple consideration and something I would and have done. Like I said there was/is no drama, it just made me think they were selfish pricks with that and the ball bashing thing. We're cool though, I just spoke to the wife outside. She probably thinks I'm an idiot for complaining about the ball that one time 6 Christmases ago. It's all good.

MusicCuresAll · 29/12/2025 11:31

No issue whatsoever with them having work done. They've got folk out in the garden sawing stuff as I type...not a problem. I think a 'heads up, we're relandscaping the garden and adding an extansion and it's gonna be noisy for about 12 weeks, just letting you know' is just simple consideration and something I would and have done. Like I said there was/is no drama, it just made me think they were selfish pricks with that and the ball bashing thing. We're cool though, I just spoke to the wife outside. She probably thinks I'm an idiot for complaining about the ball that one time 6 Christmases ago. It's all good.

MusicCuresAll · 29/12/2025 11:43

ChristmasDayIsHere · 29/12/2025 00:57

I didn’t call you a selfish prick. I was responding to your post where you called your neighbours “selfish pricks”. It is you that was rude, not me.

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Me thinking whatever about my neighbours doesn't bother you though does it? But you did say to and about me:

"...you are one of these people that make huge fuss if anyone living near them has the audacity to drop a pin within earshot because you believe your preferences override everybody else’s preferences or even their needs

I would not be at all surprised if you objected to planning application your neighbours made..."

Which is pretty rude. And untrue. Anyway me and my ndns are good and what daft things we might think about each other don't effect our general neighbourly relationship and hopefully op and her ndns can resolve and move on somewhat happily (even if she thinks they're moaning twits and they think she's a selfish prick 😉)

JohnTheRevelator · 29/12/2025 17:45

I doubt very much that the police would do anything.

whatdoyourdoggoswant · 29/12/2025 20:16

No one is going to be interested in a noise complaint about a couple of kids in their garden in the middle of the day.

Gossipisgood · 06/01/2026 14:24

If they ever ask you again to keep the kids in & not play in the garden take the kids indoors & blast music & have them bounce a ball on the adjoining wall. When they come to complain explain that's what happens when you restrict kids from playing outdoors & letting of steam & ask them which they prefer, kids indoors or outdoors.

MimiGC · 06/01/2026 19:59

Gossipisgood · 06/01/2026 14:24

If they ever ask you again to keep the kids in & not play in the garden take the kids indoors & blast music & have them bounce a ball on the adjoining wall. When they come to complain explain that's what happens when you restrict kids from playing outdoors & letting of steam & ask them which they prefer, kids indoors or outdoors.

Charming.
If I were the neighbour, I would not be impressed by having to choose between one kind of unreasonable noise or another. How about being a good neighbour and keeping your kids quiet? Why is that not an option? I realise the children have disabilities and that is difficult, but parents still have to do their best not to impose on their neighbours.

Biskieboo · 06/01/2026 20:07

pictoosh · 25/12/2025 18:03

Yanbu. If they want selective silence they can buy a house on its own with no neighbours.
They don't get to decide when your kids play in the garden during the day.

"Gentle reminder, it's our garden and we'll be out there if we want to. Thank you for your understanding."

Cheeky buggers.

Agreed in all respects. Unless the toys the OP bought included a machine gun and an air horn then the sound of kids playing outside during the day is just part on the tapestry of life, and if anybody can't cope with it then they need to find themselves a remote cottage somewhere.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 06/01/2026 21:59

Biskieboo · 06/01/2026 20:07

Agreed in all respects. Unless the toys the OP bought included a machine gun and an air horn then the sound of kids playing outside during the day is just part on the tapestry of life, and if anybody can't cope with it then they need to find themselves a remote cottage somewhere.

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You’ve clearly never had to put up with kids and their fucking basketballs constantly thudding away.